The Colbys
The Colbys is an American prime time soap opera, which originally aired on ABC from November 20, 1985 to March 26, 1987. Produced by Aaron Spelling, it was a spin-off of Dynasty, which had been the highest rated series for the 1984–1985 U.S. television season. The Colbys revolved around another wealthy, upper-class family, who were distant relatives of the Carringtons of Dynasty and who owned a large multi-national corporation. Intended to surpass its predecessor in opulence, the series' producers were handed an immensely high budget for the era and cast a handful of well-known movie stars among its leads, including Charlton Heston, Barbara Stanwyck, Katharine Ross and Ricardo Montalban. However, The Colbys was ultimately a ratings disappointment, and was canceled after two seasons.
Insights
Plot Summary
The Colbys is a prime-time soap opera that chronicled the lives of the wealthy Colby family, based in Los Angeles. The series focused on the power struggles, romantic entanglements, and business dealings within the opulent Colby Enterprises empire. It delved into the complex relationships between family members and their adversaries.
Critical Reception
While The Colbys aimed for the grandeur of its predecessor Dynasty, it struggled to find its own identity and audience. Critics often noted its reliance on familiar soap opera tropes and lavish production values, but it failed to achieve the same level of enduring popularity or critical acclaim.
What Reviewers Say
- Panned for its derivative storylines and lack of originality.
- Criticized for attempting to replicate Dynasty's success without sufficient innovation.
- Acknowledged for its high production values and star-studded cast, but ultimately deemed forgettable.
Google audience: Audience reviews are sparse for this short-lived series, with many recalling it as a less compelling spin-off of Dynasty. Some viewers enjoyed the escapism and opulent setting, but it is generally considered to be overshadowed by its more famous predecessor.
Fun Fact
The Colbys was intended as a 'more serious and sophisticated' spin-off of Dynasty, featuring a larger budget and more mature storylines, but it ultimately lasted only two seasons.
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